Geranium plant named Scarlet Red Veronica

ABSTRACT

A new variety of geranium plant is distinguished from its parent, Veronica, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,054) by the color of the petals. The upper side of the petals of the parent Veronica, is Red-Purple Group 58B (R.H.S.). The major outer portion of the upper side of the petals in the new variety is Red Group 46B (R.H.S.) the medial portion is Red Group 44C (RHS), a blotch of Red Group 53C is between the areas of Red Group 46B and 44C, the base portion where the petal joins the stem has a blotch of white, forming with the other petals of the corolla a white eye, and the underside of the petals is Red Group 41A.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The new variety of geranium plant was discovered by applicant as a sportin a bed of zonal geraniums known by the varietal name of Veronica,(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,054). The discovery was made in May 1985 inapplicant's greenhouse near Graterford, Pa.

The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings atapplicant's greenhouse in Graterford, Pa., and has been repeatedlyasexually reproduced at that location. It has retained its distinctivecharacteristics through successive reproduction.

The new variety, when grown in a greenhouse in Graterford, Pa., usingnatural light and 62° F. night temperatures and 70° F. day temperatureshas a response time of six weeks from a well-rooted cutting to aflowering plant in a 4-inch (10 cm) pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing comprises two different photographic reproductions in colorof the new variety of geranium plant. One photograph is a perspectiveview of the potted new geranium plant. The other photograph is anenlarged close-up view of the flower. The color in the photographs is asnearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

Except for the color of the petals, the new variety of geranium planthas the same characteristics as its parent known by the varietal nameVeronica (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,054).

In the parent, the upper side of the petals has a color in theRed-Purple Group 58B on the RHS Colour Chart of The Royal HorticulturalSociety of London. At the base of the petals, the color is Orange-RedGroup 33C. All petals include a blotch of Red-Purple 66B.

In the new variety, on the upper side of the petals, the innermostportion has a sizeable blotch of white, forming with the other petals ofthe corolla a white eye. The medial portion of the petals is Red Group44C (RHS) while the major outer portion is Red Group 46B (RHS). At leastthe top three petals include a blotch of Red Group 53C (RHS) between theareas of Red Group 44C and 46B. The underside of the petals in the newvariety is Red Group 41A (RHS) which on the HCC chart is VermilionHCC18.

Other than color, the characteristics of the new variety, which has beengiven the name "Scarlet Red Veronica", are essentially the same as inthe parent (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,054). For the convenience of thereader, the characteristics which are common to both the parent and thenew variety are set forth below.

It is to be particularly noted that the new variety has non-shatteringflower persistence. This is also true of the parent, Veronica. However,prior to my discovery, there has not been a good scarlet red geraniumplant with non-shattering flower persistence.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium hortorum, Bailey.

Commercial.--Zonal geranium.

Form: Bush.

Height: 14 to 20 cms. (17 cms. avg.) as a 4-inch pot plant excludingbloom and 24 to 30 cms. (27 cms. avg.) as a 4-inch pot plant includingbloom.

Growth: Short and compact plant with more basal branching, closerinternodes and smaller leaves as compared with common zonal geraniums.

Strength: Very sturdy and not susceptible to wind and rain damage.

Foliage: The quantity of foliage is of below average abundance.

Leaves:

Size.--10 to 12 cms. across.

Shape.--Reniform with oblique base.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Leathery and pubescent.

Color.--Upper side Green Group 137A; under side Green Group 138B.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate.

Petioles: 10 to 12 cms.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow Green Group 144B.

Internodes.--Very short, on the order of 1 cm.

The Bud

Shape: Umbel formed with approximately 50 florets.

Size: As bud develops to color described, head size is 3 cms. indiameter and it opens into a head size of 10 cms. in diameter.

Inflorescense

Blooming habit: Continuous throughout the year.

Size: About 10 cms.

Borne: Singly in an umbel form.

Florets:

Form.--Flat with very little cup-shaped and symmetrical in shape withsmooth edges.

Petals.--7 to 8 in number plus 6 to 7 petaloids.

Size.--3 to 4 cms. across.

Texture and appearance.--Firm and satiny.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--6 to 7 in number.

Shape.--Small and twisted.

Pedicel:

Length.--1 to 2 cms.

Peduncle:

Length.--12 to 20 cms.

Persistence: Nonshattering flower.

Disease resistance: Average to slightly better to Botrytis.

Lasting quality: On the order of three weeks.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--Approximately 8 arranged cylindrically and carried at a heightshorter than the stigma.

Filaments.--Pure white to red at the tips; 0.6 cms. in length;flattened.

Pollen.--Yellow in color.

Pistils:

Number.--1.

Length.--1 cm.

Stigma.--5 arms reflex back; reddish in color.

Style.--White.

Ovaries: Green; 5 carpels.

Fruit: Nonfertile.

The new variety, like its parent, is a short and compact plant. Thereare more basal branching and close internodes and small leaves ascompared with the standard bush zonal geraniums produced in the UnitedStates. A short flower stem positions the flower immediately atop of thefoliage into the plants and renders the plant very resistant to wind andrain damage. The scarlet red coloring of the petals of the new varietyis accentuated by the blotch of white at the base of the petals wherethe petals join the stem, forming with the other petals of the corolla awhite eye.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant characterizedin that, as distinguished from its parent plant, Veronica, (U.S. PlantPat. No. 5,054), the major outer portion of the upper side of the petalis Red Group 46B on the RHS Chart, the medial portion is Red Group 44C,a blotch of Red Group 53C is between the areas of Red Group 46B and 44C,the base portion where the petal joins the stem has a white blotch,forming with the other petals of the corolla a white eye, and the underside of the petal is Red Group 41A (RHS), Vermilion HCC18 on the HCCchart.